Prayer from Sunday, February 20, 2022

 Merciful and loving God, we are grateful that you recognize that we are your beloved child, no matter how much may get in the way. For you made us in your image, a reflection of who you are, and of your desire for us to live lives of joy and abundance within the diversity of your creation and love.

Forgive us when we pile on labels, ideologies, or excuses to not do the same as you do towards other. Infuse your Spirit’s strengthen and perseverance in us when we are tempted to resign ourselves to “that’s just how it is”, or are called coward or worse when we refuse to hate, or treat others as an enemies. Remind us that Jesus calls us to follow him not only in refraining from acts of hate, Jesus calls us to reach out with respect, care, and compassion to those who may not or will not do the same towards us.

The possibility of war between Russia and Ukraine fills us with apprehension. If possible bring about a peace that is just and that doesn’t require one solider to fire upon another.

Is there no end to the political tensions in our country. No longer is it reserved for elections or between politicians. It spills out into our social media, communities, neighborhoods. When there is temptation to see others who disagree as enemies or adversaries, transform us into peacemakers who find ways to foster respect of persons, even when there is disagreement over ideas, options, or other possible dividers.

This past week and into the coming one, storms throughout the US and world bringing freezing temperatures, snow and ice to places not equipped to handle them, where homes are equipped with the heat or insulation for these conditions. Grant wisdom to people to stay off roads and away from places so that those who are tasked with clearing roadways, providing emergency services, and other necessities can safely and efficiently do their work. Prompt with compassion neighbors to check on the safety of other neighbors , especially those who are alone.

We pray for wholeness as you see fit for those who are hurting in body, in mind, in spirit.  May they experience your peace, your comfort, your strength.

For those who grieve losses of any kind, surround them with comfort and with joyful memories so that there may come the day where even as they still grieve, they are no longer filled with despair.

We pray this all in the name of Jesus. Amen.

 

Prayer for Sunday, February 13, 2022

 And I am back. I took a little longer of a break from posting as I got settled here in my new call at St. Johns UCC in Fountain City, WI and Hope UCC in Cochrane, WI.  My husband remains in Florida until late March as he finishes recovery from a last minute hospitalization just before Christmas and the move here. (He developed an infection that required surgery- that is fully recovered and now he is working well towards recovering mobility after two weeks in bed in the hospital.) 

I earned my Doctor of Ministry in Family, Youth, and Culture at the end of November 2021. Now that I have a large chunk of time free from that, and that I am settling in here, my desire is to start doing some more blogging on my thoughts once we move into Lent. 

I hope to be posting my weekly Pastoral Prayer a day or two after that Sunday, and then spending some time sharing my thoughts under the subtitle "not that you asked, but..." . Thanks for being part of this journey.

Pastoral Prayer for February 13, 2022

Gracious God, you do not judge us by our circumstances or current position.  Why do we so often fail to do the same with ourselves or others? We love to create checklists of things to do that will tell us we are good or worthwhile, or what to avoid so we aren’t worthless or wrong. We form questions where the right answer means we are good and “in”, and the incorrect answer means we are wrong and “out”.

 When we are drawn to using these as measurements of worth, remind us that your only measurement is being your beloved child. Remind us the only question we need ask is “our we acting in the same love and compassion we see revealed in Jesus, and so reflecting your love and ways to the world?”

For the good news Jesus shared with his first disciples is needed still.

We long for a world where no longer there are those go without having their needs met, while some have more than needed for a thousand people as they only desire to amass more. Help us to live fully into your realm where not only do all have enough, but where those with more use their abundance freely and joyfully to provide what for the needs of others.

So many hunger for more than food O God. They long for justice, for the end of hatred and racism, for the establishment of a just peace. Wherever and whenever there is any type of hunger, bring about the ways of fulfilling such needs not only for a moment, but for eternity.

For those who weep O God, we long that they receive comfort.  When we are the ones who are grieved or pained, remind us that even in our sorrow or emptiness, we are still held in your love and care, still beloved by you.  

And for those who are hurting in body, mind, and spirit, we long that they experience the wholeness of life as your beloved child.  Provide relief from pain, peace even in its midst, and times of joy that reflect your desires of love for them. 

In these and all our prayers, when we can be part of your answers, give us the humility, courage, and love to do so.

We lift up all these prayers, as well as the unspoken ones of our hearts and minds, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

A Little Bit of a Break

 You might have notice I haven't posted for a few weeks.  I finished my time at the UCC church in Sanibel the end of October, and so haven't had need to write my "prayers of the people/pastoral prayers" for a few weeks. I am grateful for my 10 years serving the Sanibel Congregational UCC, but decided to take a two month "sabbatical".

I am happy to announce that as of January 2022 I will be the pastor of St.Johns UCC in Fountain City and Hope UCC in Cochrane, WI.  So over the next weeks any posting I have will be irregular, and may focus more on the thoughts than prayers. 

I look forward to posting regularly starting in January 2022. 

Prayer from October 17, 2021

It is amazing God, that your desire for us to serve you is not what we might expect. You don’t ask us to please you so that you provide us what we need, or to sacrifice all to make monuments or statutes to your name. You don’t desire worship at your feet to so that you can bask in words of praise that build your ego. Instead, it is serve you with love, through reaching out to those whose cries you hear, who are hurting, and those who are treated as less than your beloved children. You ask us to turn our hearts towards serving the needs of your children, our siblings, in your universal family- serving in the ways that we witness Jesus do.

And so this morning, we look to you for ways that we can do for others O God.  We seek the humility and compassion that Jesus exudes, longing to teach us as we follow his steps in your ways.

When we would myopically focus on ourselves, concerned with only how something impacts us personally, open our spirits to others.

When we seek your interventions in the challenges and suffering of the world, remind us that you ask us to become part of your work. Provide us direction as we long for: 

 

               Freedom for those who are oppressed,

                The end to violence in all its forms,

               And that all who hunger for food, for water, for medical care                                   and safe housing be satisfied.

 

When we pray for the end to all hate and discrimination, remind us that you have already provide to each of us what is needed for the elimination of the vestiges of racism and other isms that infest our systems, institutions, and sometimes even our very self.

 Where we lack the humility to do so, grant it to us- where we would confuse accountability for making changes that eradicate these vestiges of hate with being blamed or judged as causing them, move us to put aside our pride and instead be more concerned with how systemic racism, misogyny and other forms of hate and fear of differences affect others. Give us the willingness to bear the cost that may come with such changes, reminding us of those who have paid the cost for centuries on their own. 

We hope that this pandemic is heading towards an end. As it does, give us the willingness to reach across the divides, to sit at the same table and with others with whom we may disagree. Even if they are not returned, move us to reach out to them with love and compassion.

Remind us that serving others may not bring us praise, or adulation- for Jesus was often criticized, even violently opposed. He continued to serve by refusing to return the violence and instead accept death as another act of love, revealing a different way.

 

                   For it through our actions of dignity towards all                                                           that your love is expressed,

               Your love is experience in our acts of compassion,

               In our welcome and embrace of all people as your children                                       your grace and reconciling ways are spread.

 

We lift up these and all the prayers of our hearts and spirits in Jesus’ name. Amen.